After four slayings in a Maryland prison this year, Division of Correction Commissioner Frank Sizer Jr. abruptly announced his retirement Wednesday.
State lawmakers have recently scrutinized the rising violence at the Maryland House of Correction in Jessup, which hasexperienced four killings this year, including the slaying of a prison guard.
Sizer, 62, who was commissioner for three years, was unavailable for comment.
“He did not give any reason for his retirement,” said Jacqueline Lampell, a spokeswoman for the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
Sizer worked for the department for 11 years. He also served as a warden in two western Maryland prisons and as deputy commissioner.
The department has named John Rowley, 56, as acting commissioner.
Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services Mary Ann Saar said in a statement that she is “delighted” that Rowley agreed to take the post.
“I know that his background in both corrections and human resource development will serve him well in his new position,” she said.
Rowley was hired as the warden of the Maryland Correctional Institution at Jessup in June 2005. He was recently named assistant commissioner for the Eastern Region of the Division of Correction.
Three prisoners have been stabbed to death this year at the Jessup prison and, in July, a prison guard was slain.
Two inmates, Lamarr Cornelius Harris, 35, and Lee Edward Stephens, 27, were indicted Friday on first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder charges for the stabbing death of that officer, Cpl. David McGuinn.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
